Improvement in washing-machines



2 Sheets-Shee11.

c ARLE'S ROBINSON.

provement in Washing Machines.

No. 125,412, Patented April9 ,l872..

VVi'Pnesses, J72 2/0211");

ZSheets- SheeTZ. CHARLES RUBINSUN.

Improvment in- Washing Machines.

N0. 125,412. Patented AprH9,1872.

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OFFICE;

CHARLES ROBINSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES RoBrNsoN, of Boston, in the county ofSuffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvedashing-Machine; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full andexact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin gdrawing making part of this specification:

Figure 1 being a side view of the washingmachine; Fig. 2, a transversevertical section of the same Fig. 3, an end view thereof; Fig. 4, across-section of one of the elastic cords employed to give elasticpressure to the rubbin g-bar.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

My improved washing-machine belongs to the class of small machines whichare attached to or placed in a tub, and the operation of which isperformed by a roller turned with a crank and a stationary rubberpressed toward the roller by springs.

A simple frame, A, composed of a baseboard, (1, either with or withoutlegs I) b, and with two uprights or standards, 0 c, is sufficient forthe machine. If legs are employed they rest on the bottom of the tub andif not the ends of theboard a may fit on or between I the opposite sidesof the tub.

First, I employ a roller, B, of improved shape, for the purpose, asrepresented most clearly in Fig. 2. It is of hexagonal, as shown, orother polygonal form 5 the corners being rounded and the intermediatesides prferably being hollowed or fluted somewhat, as represented. Thisform while it produces the requisite variation in pressure upon theclothes, and the proper friction and rubbing action, at the same timeallows the roller to turn more easily and does not wear the clothes somuch as do corrugated rubbers, which, however, might be used in thismachine.

The rubber 0 instead of revolving, as in other machines of this class,simply slides up and down in grooves or slots f f of the standardswithout turning, and it is pressed down by springs upon the roller. Itis rounded on the lower side, against which the clothes rub, and

it may be round, flat, or of any other convenient form on the upperside. To prevent its wearing away too rapidly, and keep it smooth, it iscovered with a sheathing of zinc, or its equivalent. By being thusnon-revolving it ofl'ers a gentle rubbing action to the clothes, whichcannot be obtained by arolling friction. It may have a knob, h, to liftit by for inserting the clothes.

The springs D D, which I use to press down the rubbing-bar, are ofpeculiar construction and arrangement. They are made of elastic cord,composed of several strands of India rubber, wound, as shown in Fig. 4,so that if one strand breaks the rest may remain whole. One of thesecords is stretched over each end of the rubbing-bar, fitting in notchesthereof, as shown, and held at the ends by screws, bolts, nails, orpegs, z i. If they break or become too weak they are easily adjusted instrength or renewed. They are simple and cheap.

Other kinds of elastic cords or bands may be used instead of the specialconstruction herein described.

WVha-t I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The combination of the roller B, rubber O, and the elastic cords D 1),constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for thepurpose herein specified.

Specification signed by me this 17th day of January, 1872.

CHARLES ROBINSON.

Witnesses:

Guns. EDMUNDS, F. H. SMITH.

